Sharon Drayton Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Oversee all studio and production operations on $900K+ budget, supervising six union staff members and 30+ non-direct/freelance contractors, to manage 36+ varied program events annually. Create employee schedules, delegate assignments, and administer payroll and other HR functions. Liaise with vendors for use of facilities, equipment, and contracting production services. Collaborate with C-suite executives on local and national public television initiatives. Preside over Technical Operations Center (TOC) and fiscal and administrative aspects of projects to ensure timely and cost-effective execution.Key Contributions: Designed multi-faceted program initiative and secured $50K grant to promote King Lecture Series, featuring high-profile civic and political figures to advance station and university branding. Through strategic planning and creative initiative, enhanced screening event participation from simple viewing to interactive experience with in-depth panel discussions and thematic branding.  Successfully produced numerous on-air programs, including episodes of the King Lecture Series, Vocal Point, Rock Newman Show, and American Graduate Townhall.

Helmed WHUT television production operations with six direct union reports, 30+ non-direct/freelance staff, and $800K budget, offering superior client relations while guiding quality content. Served as de factor Chief Operating Officer for TOC while executive was on extended medical leave. Facilitated building and equipment maintenance, administered budget, led personnel, negotiated NABET-CWA union contracts, and maintained overall operations and broadcast integrity. Became primary point of contact for crucial community partners, such as NBPC, RoadTrip Nation, and CPB. Produced several WHUT production episodes including Let’s Talk Education, At Howard, and Evening Exchange.Key Contributions: Alongside HU School of Communications, established in-studio production course that allowed Communications students to gain hands-on studio television production experience while earning class credit; featured HU faculty/staff as guests to elevate university-wide awareness of series and increase branding. Reworked production staffing and established clearer protocols to streamline organizational efficiency by 60%. Boosted production revenue by 25% in two years by personally engaging potential clients and expanding frequency of studio tours, positioning WHUT studios as attractive production location.  Initiated sustainability plan for grant-funded Media and Learning Lab to increase parent-child learning experiences with computer-driven PBS Kids content.

Founded project management consulting firm, serving clients like PBS, The Ari Group, and WHUT/Howard University Television. Delivered steady administrative, managerial, and HR support; content development; program evaluation; marketing materials and branding; and presentation and meeting/seminar planning. Key Projects: Annual Meeting Showcase, PBS Alongside senior management and national producers, resolved to underscore diversity in programming content and images.  Boasted 95% client satisfaction rating and six years’ repeat business by identifying novel opportunities to meet unique program needs and traveling to production sites to furnish edits under strict time constraints. Leadership Development Program, PBS Orchestrated numerous annual programs intended to grow pool of qualified, racially and ethnically diverse senior leaders in public television industry.  Guided sound fiscal management of grant funds exceeding $500k annually. Employee Orientation Project, PBS• Evaluated existing employee orientation program through one-on-one interviews, focus groups and research; developed and created new, more comprehensive employee orientation; solicited and obtained on-going commitment of participation from “key payers” in the development and presentation of monthly orientation programs;• Wrote scripts, created PowerPoint presentations and compiled documentation for distribution to new employees via electronic, print and group presentations.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Provided high-quality project management services and expertise in a variety of areas ranging from administration, operations, promotion and budget planning for numerous projects and initiatives including: PBS Leadership Development Program – Managed (3) annual programs established to increase racial and gender diversity of candidates for senior leadership opportunities throughout PTV. Served as led contact providing on-going administrative, logistic and detailed fiscal management of $500K grant expenditure. Collaborated with key stakeholders to develop program content. Monitored, identified and incorporated opportunities to meet the specific needs of each program class. Developed customized agendas for participation in conferences and seminars to enhance leadership development training; Employee Orientation Project – Evaluated existing program through one-on-one interviews, focus groups and research to develop a more comprehensive employee orientation program. Solicited and obtained on-going commitment of participation from “key players” for development and presentation of monthly sessions. Created scripts, PowerPoint and compiled documentation for distribution to new employees via electronic, print and group presentations; PBS Annual Meeting Showcase – Designed and produced multiple corporate PowerPoint presentations for national business meetings and program presentations. Participated as technical crew member providing last minute edits and program branding oversight. Assisted with development of programming division’s content presentations, including working directly with national producers to highlight diversity and new initiatives. Impact – PBS – shepherded over 30 participants through program who over 50% went on to pursue management positions within PTV; Employee Orientation – overhauled existing program which was deemed extremely successful; PBS Annual Mtg. – I continue to provide high-quality PowerPoint presentation assistance (11 years).

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Managed the Program Management, Program Operations and Programming Administration and Communications departments. Worked closely with area Directors to ensure efficient management operations, with special emphasis on the participation of all areas in company-wide development, testing and implementation of new digital program package delivery system (Broadview). Fiscal management – over $194M program funds and $11M administrative funds (including ongoing supervision of 9+ departmental budgets). Worked closely with SVP to track funding activities (private and federal grants) and insure compliance to grant requirements. Provided on-going fiscal management of special project multi-million $ budgets. Liaison for programming division to Administration, Finance and Accounting, Legal and Human Resources departments. Managed quarterly and annual budget development and reviews. Responsible for space planning, emergency preparedness and disaster planning. Responsible for the development and ongoing review and accuracy of job descriptions and was conduit for SVP regarding salary offers, promotions. Worked closely to address and resolve personnel management issues. Served as resource for annual performance management review process. As liaison for Program Advisory Committee worked closely to meet needs of the national PBS programming community through ongoing monthly meetings and development of content sessions at annual Programmers meetings and national PBS conferences. Impact – Effective manager whose ability to multi-task and provide ongoing supervision positively impacted staff; Consistently met or exceeded budget expectations with regard to savings and maintaining accurate records.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Managed day-to-day operations of Programming Administration and Communications departments. Provided fiscal management in excess of $175M in program funds and $9M in administrative funds; worked closely with SVP, Programming Services to track funding activities. Participated in planning, production and execution of programming related events for the PBS Annual Meeting, including budget development. Planned, produced and executed the annual PBS Programmers Meeting; was direct contact with hotel and vendors for logistics and execution; worked closely with station programmers to set agenda. Managed PBS presence at domestic and international program markets (MIP and MIPCOM); supervised member station participation; providing creative insight for the construction and development of exhibit space. Supervised development and execution of monthly programming teleconferences.